Why gripe about Iraq war?

Question

Why is it most US military personell that have served in Iraq believe we need to be there? Why is it the military is not having a hard time getting Iraq war vets to voluntarily reenlist when there contracts end? Why do a vast majority of military personell support President Bush, unlike when Clinton was in office.

Is the military more informed in what is really happening over there or would you have the courage to say the military is full of idiots that should be glad they have an income of any sort?

That is how it appears when people that have never been there and are not going to be there discuss wether I should have been there.

I would tell you my views on quantum physics but since I don't know enough about it I will keep my mouth closed and not look like an idiot by pretending like I do.

How has the war hurt the economy? Unemployment is at an all time low and the stock market is setting record highs.

Answer 1

Now I havent been to Iraq or anything close to it but from what Ive been told by my 2 friends, (Army 19D and Marine..Idk what the little code is but he was a machinegunner) the media portrays Iraq alot worse than it really is. Im sure they werent saying it was a land of rainbows and happiness, but its not like the media would make it look; bombs going off every minute on every corner/complete riots and chaos.

So the way Ive heard it, Iraq isnt good, but its not as bad as the Media is telling the American public.

Answer 2

Being in the Military I can tell you this..unless you have been to a country like Iraq, you can not really appreciate what you have here in the USA. My first trip to the Middle East I seen people living in a mud hut, Outside were a couple of goats. Inside a few mats, a small propane burner for cooking, some pots, etc. These poor desert dwellers had NOTHING....that I was accustomed to. I at first was disgusted. But then I realized that this is all these people knew. I couldn't communicate with the folks to ask them if they wished for a better way of life so I have to assume that the answer would be yes. I remember the looting that went on after the former Iraqi regime was ousted, I thought at first these people have lost their minds, then I seen what was really happening, they were free. The Iraqi people seen that they could now do with out feeling in danger!! It was chaos yes, but they were in a bliss that you or I cold not feel because we are already free, we were born into it. Until we have lost it, we will never know what it is like to live with out freedom.....this is what we take for granted as a people. there are many great things happening in Iraq that the media will never show us herein America because it is not negative. Schools are being built, Hospitals, mosques, shopping centers, More Iraqis are working again, there is a constant flow of VOLUNTEERS to become Iraqi police....even though the danger of that job is more dangerous than being an American Soldier. So to those who do gripe about our government and the war, educate yourself and be very thankful that you live where you do

Answer 3

I'm glad you asked. The U.S. military, once a staunch supporter of President Bush and the Iraq war, has grown increasingly pessimistic about chances for victory, a new poll says.

For the first time, more troops disapprove of the president's handling of the war than approve of it, according to the 2006 Military Times Poll.

Only 35 percent of military members polled this year said they approve of the way Bush is handling the war, and 42 percent said they disapprove. While approval of the president's war leadership has slumped, his overall approval remains high among the military.

Just as telling, only 41 percent of the military now say the United States should have gone to war in Iraq, down from 65 percent in 2003. That closely reflects beliefs of the general population — 45 percent agreed in a recent USA Today-Gallup poll.

Reinlistment? The $15,000 tax-free reenlistment bonus has to help...which can be much higher, depending on rank. However, I read this just today:

" At a checkpoint on the barren plain east of Baqouba, word of a new U.S. Army plan to pay soldiers up to $10,000 to re-enlist evoked laughter from a few bored-looking troopers. "

"Man, they can't pay me enough to stay here," said a 23-year-old specialist from the Army's 4th Infantry Division as he manned the checkpoint with Iraqi police outside this city 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.


His comments reflect a sentiment not uncommon among the nearly two dozen soldiers in Iraq who have spoken with The Associated Press since the Army announced the increased re-enlistment bonuses for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait on Monday. Other soldiers at home were divided about the offer.

The soldiers in Iraq who spoke about the bonuses were serving in a range of assignments, from training the new Iraqi army at a base east of Baqouba to patrolling some of the most dangerous roads in the country, like those leading north from Baghdad.

It could also be "Army health care, retirement pay and subsidized food, housing and education add up to an attractive salary and benefits package" offered at the Army website..It certainly does seem that those signing up wouldn't be those in the Ivy League colleges. These are people that don't get those opportunities and a $40k a year income with benefits and bonus looks pretty good.

Answer 4

Sorry I agree with you, The military is doing a great job with a very difficult task. Door to door fighting has always been the hardest.
Keep politicians out of the war.
But, that said please go in to WIN with overwhelming force! Kick some butt and take no prisoners. No whinning either.

Answer 5

And I suppose you think the military should run the country and the rest of us should let it? I'm thankful that you went over there. But everyone has a right to gripe in this country. That's what the military defends, right?

Answer 6

You have these types in any war. To some people, any fighting is wrong. Let their homes be invaded or their families be threatened and see if they would fight. If it wasn't for war we wouldn't know what peace was. With out war they wouldn't have the right to speak out against the war. They speak without thinking.

Answer 7

You don't have to be a soldier or have spent time in Iraq to see what the war is doing to our economy or our standing in the world. The effects of the war go beyond the number of US soldiers dying there.

Answer 8

I don't think these people realize how much harm their griping can do. And even so, they can avoid responsibility for their acts. It would be nice, though, if even a tiny fraction of these people would do a little research on fourth generation warfare before they go shooting off their mouths.

Answer 9

I don't know why people "gripe" about it. It's a wonderful money maker! It helps out greatly with the zionist cause. And it's a wonderful population reduction tool. What's not to like!
Shalom

Answer 10

You work for us. Shut up and do your job without complaint.